Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1887-03-03


can talk as fast as anybody and some
things you have said would not bear
repeating without unpleasant conse-
quences 10 you. You can put him in
that little room next 10 yours in the
north wing; and when he comes to his
senses. tell him an easy lie of some sort.
and then let him 60. | don't propose
to do him any harm, and only wish to
delay certain operations of his 4 few
hours. Will you co il, or must give
your memory another joga"
"Pll do itr' said Jim, with dogged
sui lenness.
Very good;" aud drawing out his
pocket-book Ralph produced crisp,
new note. Here's twenty to bind the
bargain; and as soon AS know the job
is done, you will get the rest"
Ralph left the tavern, mounted his
horse, and dashed quickly out of sight.
1t was near midnight when Oswald
NARROW dismounted at his home, having
been actively engaged ever since part
ing with his betrolhed in the early part
of the evening. Leading his horse to
the stable, he saw him comfortably pro-
vided for, and then repaired TO the
house; and five minutes later man
gliding from behind Il large tree few
yards away, approached the stable
door. Producing dark lantern and a
key, he unlocked the door and went in.
He was there some time; then silently
emerging, hurried away with an ex-
preston of exultation on his dark, sin
lister face.
The hour appointed for the wedding
had arrived, and up in her room Con-
stance Howard stood, q vision of rare
loveliness, in her lustrous bridal robe,
with the pearls that had been her
lovers wedding gift encircling her
neck and arms and shining in her hair,
which rippled back from her fair brow,
and was. wound in one classic coil at
the back of her shapely head. A superb
bouquet, which had como that morning,
with Ralph Washburn's card attached,
stood upon the dressing table, ready for
the auspicious moment.
There. Con!' exclaimed one of the
bridesmaids, stepping back to survey
her work. "Your appearance is simply
perfect. Mr.. Marlow is lucky man,
And, by the way, is it not time he was
hcreP The wedding is appointed by the
special license for seven, and it must be
nearly that now" ..
ut is eight minutes past" remarked
a companion, glancing at her watch.
'.He may be below, waiting permission
to come up. julia" she continued,
stepping to the door and addressing a
servant who was passing, "go down
and see if Mr.. NARROW has arrived"
The girl obeyed, returning in few
moments. -l
"Ihe clergyman has come, Miss Sew
ard, but Mr. NARROW is not there yet"
HE has been delayed, probably, "said
Constance, hearing the report and try
ing to speak calmly, although her heart
sank with sudden misgiving He
will be here soon."
But the minutes passed by, until
twenty more were gone, and the BRIDE
groom had not arrived. Then horse,
covered with foam, was reined in at the
gate. and, springing to the ground, the
rider came quickly up the steps and
rang the bell.
as Mr.. NARROW hereP" he asked as
the door opened.
mo, sir. replied the servant
"Then take ME to Miss Howard inn
mediately. must sec her alone"
And few minutes later Ralph Wash
burn, pale and agitated, stood before
the anxious bride.
''Constance-Miss Howard-oh! how
can l tell your he exclaimed, in husky
tones
Tell me whatp' gasped the terrified
girl. MY good friend, in mercy, let
me know the worst! Is he deadP'
'Dead!' repeated Ralph, with burst
of indignant feeling. "That would be
welcome news, compared with what l
bring"
The face of the bride-elect turned
whittier than her robe; then controlling
herself by an almost superhuman effort,
she said, in a painfully altered voice:
"Tell me all-everything!'
"About three o'clock this afternoon"
said Ralph, drawing small envelope
from his pocket, ''this letter was left at
my office during my absence, by some
uAhuo"h PolooH' Al COHldIuS tuCSe
strange words:
"'If Ralph Washburn would learn some.
thing to his advantage, let him be ut the -
railway station at nine O'Clock sharp, this
morning. "A Well-Wisher.'
Il have always distrusted anony.
nous letters, and scarcely ever deemed
them worthy of notice; but something
prompted me to give heed to this. /
knew by hard riding l could get there
and return in time for the wedding.
Reaching the station IL few minutes be-
fore nine-the hour. us / afterwards
learned, at which train would be en-
route for town. was walking up and
down the platform, with my cap pulled
down, and my coatcoliar turned up TO
keep out the cold, thus effectually con-
cealing my face, when II close carriage
drove up. and n lady and gentleman
alighted caught a distinct glancc
at each as they passed into the waiting
room. Her face l had never seen be-
fore; his l had-it was that of Oswald
MarlowT
A spasm passed for moment over
the features of the statue-like girl before
him; then, with a motion Of her hand,
she bade him proceed.
"They were talking in low tones; but
1 heard the lady say, as they passed
me: 4 hope she won't take it very hard;
but then, you know had the best right
to you.
5. '''And the only right, since the min